Oregon to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 2,639 mile interstate move from Oregon to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Dungeness Crab vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (craftsman vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Dungeness Crab and Grilled Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in Oregon
- Rent in South Carolina is 6.39% more affordable than in Oregon
- Moving from Oregon to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Oregon to South Carolina movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
Oregon to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to South Carolina
- High cost of living
- Rainy climate
- High taxes
- Tough job market
- Expensive housing
- Lower cost of living
- Sunnier weather
- Lower taxes
- Growing job market
- Affordable housing
- Limited lush greenery
- Less cultural diversity
- Traditional cuisine
- Hot, humid summers
- Conservative values
- Lush landscapes
- Diverse culture
- Eclectic food scene
- Clean air
- Innovative communities
Pros of moving from Oregon to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from the rainy climate and moving to South Carolina with sunnier weather
- Swap the high taxes of Oregon for the lower taxes in South Carolina
- Get ready for the growing job market in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Oregon to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lush landscapes in Oregon to live with limited lush greenery in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to the eclectic food scene and get used to the traditional cuisine in South Carolina
- Swap clean air for hot and humid summers
Oregon vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Dungeness Crab | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Salmon | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Food Truck Tacos | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Collard Greens |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Oregon to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Oregon for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Grilled Salmon and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oregon eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Salt and Straw. After the boxes are unpacked in South Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to South Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Home Team BBQ, Husk, and Bowen's Island Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and South Carolina
Comparison | Oregon | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, proximity to nature | Historic landmarks, coastal access |
- The Craftsman architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and proximity to nature, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic landmarks and coastal access.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Carolina is less walkable than Oregon.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Oregon.
- South Carolina housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Oregonβs $497,946.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
- Rent in South Carolina is 6.39% more affordable than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and South Carolina
Comparison | Oregon | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 55Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 33Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 50% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in South Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 10 degrees warmer than in Oregon.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and South Carolina
Comparison | Oregon | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% - 9.9% | 0% - 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.97% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Agriculture, Forestry | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Average | Higher than Average |
Homelessness | Higher | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 15% less than those in Oregon
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 12% lower than what you are used to living in Oregon
- The state income tax in South Carolina is 0% to 7% compared to 4.75% to 9.9% in Oregon
- The affluence in South Carolina is modest compared to moderate in Oregon
- The poverty level is higher than average in South Carolina compared to average in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is higher in Oregon and lower in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Oregon | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal, with a significant Democratic presence | Conservative, predominantly Republican |
Local Politics | Metro areas lean heavily Democratic | Rural areas and cities show strong Republican support |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated overall | Higher religious affiliation, especially among Christian denominations |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and predominantly Republican
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as having a higher religious affiliation, especially among Christian denominations
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated overall
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to South Carolina
Comparison | Oregon | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | University of South Carolina Clemson University Coastal Carolina University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ainsworth Elementary (Portland) Findley Elementary (Beaverton) Jacob Wismer Elementary (Portland) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) River Ridge Academy (Bluffton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton) | Greenville Middle Academy (Greenville) Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Corvallis High School (Corvallis) South Eugene High School (Eugene) Lincoln High School (Portland) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Dutch Fork High School (Irmo) |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) The Delphian School (Sheridan) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Delphian School (Sheridan) Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) | Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) Ashley Hall (Charleston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District Corvallis School District | Fort Mill School District Lexington School District One Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Oregon to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 2,639 miles from Oregon to South Carolina will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,699 | 300 ft3 | $9.00 |
1 Bedroom | $4,025 | 450 ft3 | $8.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,672 | 750 ft3 | $8.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,730 | 1100 ft3 | $8.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,073 | 1600 ft3 | $8.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,742 | 1800 ft3 | $8.75 |
Top Oregon to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for Oregon to South Carolina